The Seven (Fist of Light Series) (16 page)

The door was opened for Jas and me with a courteous gesture, and absolutely no commentary on our excessive purchases, or even the weather. My thoughts wandered to the notion that the man was mute, and it would surely match his appearance. I didn’t think it was possible for someone to look so… dull, dreary, and unassuming. Either he worked very hard to project the image, or he was just an incredibly boring supernatural being. Although, it was ironic that the one thing he couldn’t hide separated himself from the remainder of humanity, making all his efforts null. Even unconsciously, the human brain is aware of predators, firing the part of the brain that initiates the fight or flight instinct and pushing it up to “holy shit I’m going to die mode.” I chuckled to myself as the door closed behind Jas.

While waiting a minute or so for the bags to be loaded into the car by the driver, I took the liberty of modeling my Wayfarer’s. Checking myself out in the reflection provided by the window, I struck some damn cool poses that are indescribable in any language at my disposal, which happened to be limited to one. I’m nothing if not humble, and I save that statement for special occasions where a straight face disguises uproarious laughter. Sometimes, napkins and hands get involved to secret away uncontrollable giggles and smiles that my defenses are unable to hold back.

Jas looked at me like an indulgent mother watching her five-year old son splashing around in a puddle of mud. “How you were able to make it all this time?”

My giggling fits subsided and I assumed a more somber mood. “It was the only way I made it. It’s a better choice than turning your back on the world altogether. Much, much better.” Thoughts flashed through my mind of the possibilities waiting down that particular road, and I shivered.

Before Jas had stepped back into his more conventional role, he had appeared distanced, and I had a good idea as to why. He had spoken about The Coming of the Seven, and had been adamant about them having control over the five elements. But what about lightning? My impression was that it wasn’t anything so simplistic as an element, and that’s where things deviated from the expected plot. It seemed to me that such prophecies, tattered and worn throughout uncountable, unfathomable ages, weren’t entirely accurate, or even complete. Jas was unsure of what my exact capabilities entailed, or if my abilities matched the description that had been hinted at.

But, rather than asking the questions of myself from now until doomsday, I queried Jas, careful to broach the topic with sufficient delicacy in order to make sure that no macho points were lost. A quick glance outside the window of the limo verified that we had already arrived at our next destination, by some Were hoodoo, no doubt. Only a few minutes had elapsed since our entrance into the vehicle, which included a U-Turn made during the short time period. We were stationed along the right-hand side of the street, and our destination became clear to me, out the window on that side.

I lingered in the car. “So, is that why you were acting weird earlier today? I’m still the same lovable teddy bear under all the pretty lights, you know.”

Jas responded in a grimmer manner than I ever thought him capable of. “I don’t know, man. I guess so, that’s part of it. It’s just that I don’t like never knowing what’s going to happen. And, ever since you jumped into the equation everything’s gone to the shitter. It’s only been a couple of days, but it feels like a lifetime has passed. There’s enough going on around me that my head feels like it’s going to come unhinged, and I can’t help but feel that I’m going to miss a crucial chunk of the equation.” His eyebrows drew together in intense concentration. “But, there’s one thing that’s even more important than all of that right now, and I think you deserve to know what it is.”

Waiting in anticipation, he expected me to come up with some obvious response, like “What’s that?” but I merely motioned for him to continue with a rolling gesture from my right hand. That was all that was required to release the floodgates that had become overloaded and teeming with angst.

“Every Skin Walker forms a bond with one being in their lifetime. They experience a tug in the direction of the solitary being that they will share their bond with. A ritual is performed, and the Skin Walker and the being to whom it bonds share a small part of themselves with each other. It’s closer than a blood relationship, the bond exists on a primal level, something close to the relationship between telepathic twin brothers. Much like the bond that you share with Jeeves, if I’m not mistaken. However, I believe it to be less invasive and intense.” He pointed at my amulet for emphasis of his point. “Usually, this is another Skin Walker, and less frequently a member of another clan. It’s even less likely to bond with a preternatural being outside the Clan, like the Fae, vampires, ghouls, trolls, and humans. My bonded falls with a being under none of those categories.”

My expression bordered on distress, but was closer to thoughtful. “So, what you’re implying is that it’s necessary to share my mind with not one, but two different individuals?” A sincere smile was flashed to display that I wasn’t about to bail and jump on the first plane to Antarctica,
yet
.

Jas cracked a heartfelt smile. Maybe he had believed I would reason he had only instigated our friendship because some incessant mental scratch that needed to be sated forced him to, and I was the antibiotic itch cream. It occurred to me that there could be some inconsistencies with what Jas had told me previously about my adoption into his family. It was peculiar, having been approached so quickly, and taken under another wing before it was possible to utter a “whatsit?” I didn’t doubt his previous statements about the Clan’s decision to harness the closest preternatural nuke and see what developed. But, the rest of the puzzle fell into place nicely when Jas’ part came into play. It went a long way to explaining why I had been accepted into his family so comprehensively.

Deciding to switch tacks, I asked, “And the other Were, the different clans, do they bond?”

“They form bonds only within their own clans, which is why packs are formed, and therein Alphas become an integral part of their hierarchy. Besides the very rare exception for when a Skin Walker bonds with one of their Kin, they keep within their own. No, The Skin Walker’s bond is unique, and it’s why our Clan holds much more sway then one would be lead to believe when we are outnumbered in every direction. It’s caused trouble in the past.”

I pondered that intel for a moment. “So, the ghoul, the one at your mansion… He’s—”

“Yeah. He’s bonded with my father. There aren’t many other ways a ghoul would be able to control its bloodlust. A surplus of strength and intelligence is also provided by the bond, much more than the average, run of the mill ghoul possesses.”

“Fascinating. And now, you’re saying I’m
your
intended? Isn’t it a little early in our relationship to be thinking of such things?” I laughed uproariously at my own wit.

Jas joined in on the fun, and for a moment we were just a couple of teenage boys having a good laugh.

“Yes. You are the one I am to bond with. I’m sure. It’s nigh unheard of to find one’s bonded at my current age. Some go centuries or even longer before they feel the call.”

“So, what you’re saying is your bond allows us to… do what? Communicate through a mental link?”

Jas started to respond, but then he cut himself off sharply before answering. “Wait, you’ll do it? Just like that?”

I shrugged. “What other choice is there? Can you guarantee me any rights within your Clan without it?”

I had a sneaking suspicion that Jas had put a tricky spin on the truth when he first confronted me about my adoption into his family. He had mentioned my eligibility to secure more rights as an adopted member of his family, and that he would see them coming. This appeared believable enough, if you looked at it through a kaleidoscope. If Jas bonded with me, I expected to gain those privileges. Otherwise, in the eyes of the Clan, Caleb Holden was just another black sheep in the herd of humanity, slightly less obtainable, but considered food nonetheless. It occurred to me that at this point in time, I would only be able to put up minimal resistance if a pack took it upon themselves to eliminate me from the equation. My existence would be a challenge to their authority, and from what I knew of predators, they didn’t stay around long after such things damaged their reputation.

Jas winced, as if he had actually heard my thoughts, and I couldn’t testify for certain he hadn’t picked up on at least the general direction. “No. You’re a target unless you stand within our laws. Since you obviously can’t shift into anything anymore than a mouse can thwart a cat’s attempt on its life, the only way you can enjoy sanctuary under Clan law is to be bonded to one within the Clan.”

“Three questions,” I mentioned, pausing for dramatic effect. “First, haven’t you ever seen
Tom and Jerry
? And if you haven’t, how have you missed out on such an inspiring rendition of overcoming the laws of nature by the most resourceful mouse I’ve ever encountered?”

His shoulders unknotted from what could only be a highly uncomfortable position. He had expected me to come back with three scathing remarks, and perhaps run in whichever direction he wasn’t for deceiving me.

He started to return with a response, but I overrode him. “Second. What the hell were you thinking, lying to me like that? It had to come out eventually anyways, so why didn’t you tell me in the first place?”

Jas merely nodded, rightly chastised. It was no doubt a question that was on the top of the list of what to expect when you lie in a newly formed friendship. “I’m sorry, man, really. I knew that if I had told you then, you would have just up and left right there. And the Clan wouldn’t have allowed that. They would have killed you. That was exactly what they wanted you to do, before my father and I were able to convince them otherwise, and only just scarcely. Your death would just be another bit of competition knocked off the food chain to them.”

Nodding my head in recognition of the truth in his words, it was appeared likely that I would respond just as Jas had envisioned. That meant that he not only was thinking multiple moves ahead of me, but also had been trying to protect me. Damn, did that make it hard to hold a grudge against the guy. I decided to use what leverage was left to my grudge points before they dissipated completely. They were already withering under the act of friendship Jas had committed when he had gone out on a limb to protect me.

“How the hell does it work? And what’s going to happen if it’s successful? How dangerous is it?” Realizing that I had traveled much past my previous expectations in questions, some mental fingers were crossed over my still evaporating grudge points.

Jas smiled, and our previously fractured friendship became whole once more. “We have to share a minute amount of blood. Sharing of blood is a spiritual and physical act; the intent in which we do it matters more than anything else. In truth, we will be sharing a sliver of our souls. The bond’s potential is within me, so there isn’t some magical incantation that has to be said over a boiling cauldron of pig’s feet or anything.”

Excuse me, if I became a tad tentative when someone announces that we’ll be swapping shards of our souls with one another; I like mine in once piece, thank you. Jeeves was still sleeping, recuperating, or staring at his forest. This obviously wasn’t garnering his interest in the slightest, if he was even knowledgeable of the proceedings.

I was incredulous. “You want to mix blood and share souls? Who the hell came up with that ingenuous idea?!”

It occurred to me that I may have come off as distressed. Jas made placating motions as he defended his reasoning. “It’s age-old ritual magic, and the people who formulated it are long dead.”

I exhaled loudly, making my exasperation well known. “Fine. So we share our blood, but hopefully not the diseases I’m sure you’ve accumulated throughout your short, yet sullied sexual adventures. What are the likelihoods we both drop dead?”

His face cleared of all the telling expressions I relied upon to decipher his thoughts. “I don’t know. It’s never been attempted with one of your… disposition. I don’t
think
anything bad is going to happen, but I can’t be sure. As to what
will
happen… that is unclear at this point as well. Although, the swapping of a portion of each soul, at the very least, provides some benefit for both parties. Past that, your guess is as good as mine.”

My questions all seemed to be resolved, although that created further conundrums to turn around in my mind. I couldn’t help but think that events were spiraling insanely out of my grasp. Determined to clutch at all available life supports, Jas’ offer was one that couldn’t be ignored lightly. With it, I might actually get to watch the first snowfall next year. Survival rates had to be minimal in the supernatural community for those who acted out if they didn’t have someone to watch their back.

“All right, but not until we return. I’m not walking into a bookstore like I’m looking for another reference document on a satanic ritual I’m researching.” Was that laughter I heard, or just rushing water?